Partner of the World Clean Up Day association since 2018, DECATHLON has organized the World Cleanup Day, which was held on September 17. In order to protect our playgrounds and promote sustainable and responsible sport practice, DECATHLON, together with their partner EcoKnights, organized and supervised this initiative. A happy moment in the service of environmental protection with this cleaning operation which is part of the largest citizen and environmental mobilization on a global scale. 

Since 2018, DECATHLON has been committed alongside the World Clean Up Day association with the desire to educate everyone to practice their sport in a more responsible way. Last year, DECATHLON brought together 27,000 people in 40 countries to clean up more than 77 tonnes of litter.

This waste collection day has now become an unmissable event with family and friends. And this year, for the very first time in Malaysia, Decathlon has managed to unite more than 200 sports lovers around this cause, to collect waste in two different locations around Kuala Lumpur. The two groups gathered at a river logboom in PPR Sri Terengganu, Sentul, and at a roadside public park in Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya.

The result of this environmental action spoke for itself. A total of 710.3kg of waste has been collected and sent to the relevant public authority, with 35.4% of it being recyclable.

Decathlon then hosted an event at their Petaling Jaya store, during which the local NGO Zero Waste Malaysia managed to raise awareness on the waste situation, but also educated sports users on the importance of preserving the spaces in which they practice sports. As a reminder, an average Malaysian generates about 1.2 kg of trash daily.

Adrian Lafage, Sustainability Leader at Decathlon Malaysia shared his thoughts on the importance of such actions: “It is important for us to take this kind of sustainable drive as a starting point, to set an example and show our beloved sportspeople how to adapt their daily habits and be more conscious about their waste consumption. On a corporate level in Malaysia, we have launched our workshop and second-life initiatives to extend the life of our products, and therefore promote a better circular economy. Thankfully, this event was a success thanks to our involved sports lovers community, who is extremely engaged in protecting our playgrounds”.

Arnaud Sauret, CEO of Decathlon Malaysia also added: “Here in Malaysia, the natural landscapes provide us a considerable amount of opportunities to practice sport, especially thanks to places such as the tropical rainforest, mangrove areas and untouched coral reefs. It is our duty to remain self-aware of our impact, and try to act responsibly when it comes to protecting it.”

This awareness campaign has also been successful thanks to the partnership with the local NGO EcoKnights, who was the officially appointed partner of Decathlon.

EcoKnights is a non-governmental environmental organization established in 2005. The organization focuses on working with key stakeholders to drive and empower sustainable actions for a better planet. Sustainable community development is the core of all EcoKnights’ efforts and this is delivered through policy advocacy, on-ground and hands-on community efforts, corporate partnerships, youth volunteerism and strategic engagements and fundraising.

Programme Director of EcoKnights, Fadly Bakhtiar also shared: “Partnerships such as today (between Decathlon, EcoKnights, Local Councils and the general public) are crucial for capacity building in developing countries. What we do today will be passed down to future generations. In the spirit of World Clean Up Day and as responsible citizens, each individual must do their part to set a good example for everyone to participate in volunteerism and activism to contribute to Malaysia’s sustainability.”

Decathlon is the world’s largest sports retailer with the mission of sustainably making the pleasure and benefits of sport accessible to the many. Founded in 1976 – Decathlon fuels the passion for sports with over 1,700 stores in some 70 countries. On the 15th of October 2022, Decathlon Malaysia will open its 10th store in Cyberjaya in DPulze Mall. The team of accomplished sportswomen and men want to offer the best offer of sports products and services to all. On top of offering more than innovating 5,000 sports products on 60 sports, Decathlon Malaysia is also a wellness center supporting all sports lovers before, during and after their practice through sports events & classes, healthy food restaurant, physiotherapy services, advice & recommendation from experts… Join MY Decathlon Club now!

Decathlon Malaysia Media contact
nawel.hamzaouiduchemin@decathlon.com